Team Clark is adamant that we will never write content influenced by or paid for by an advertiser. To support our work, we do make money from some links to companies and deals on our site. Learn more about our guarantee here.

Advertisement

Are you suffering from laptop thigh, texting thumb, or phantom-vibration syndrome? Those are just a few of the ailments being caused by gadget addiction.

The medical field is recognizing a whole host of new illnesses brought about by consumer fixation on mobile electronics, New York magazine reports. Among the other chronic conditions noted are:

Sleep deprivation

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia, or the fear of being without your phone for even a trip to the bathroom!)

Cybersickness (kinetosis)

iPosture (cervicalgia)

Scrotal hyperthermia

My wife and I have been talking about how much we’re addicted to our electronics. We’ve both realized we need to step back and dial back with how much we’re on our devices.

I’ve long suggested that parents should not allow a cell phone to stay in their teen’s room. I’m well past being a teen, but traditionally I’ve slept with my cell phone by the bedside. But now I charge the cell phone in my bathroom so I’m away from it, and it’s not the last thing I see at night and the first thing in the morning.

Recently, my executive producer Christa had a “no electronics day” challenge with her middle school daughter. They didn’t touch their smartphones, tablets, or even watch TV. Instead, they played board games, card games, and took a walk with the dog, among other things. Christa, I will meet your challenge with a “no technology” day of my own this month in my household!

Clark Howard is a consumer expert whose goal is to help you keep more of the money you make. His national radio show and website show you ways to put more money in your pocket, with advice you can trust. More about Clark